2021 Stars of the Industry Awards The OHLA presents this Annual Award Competition, honoring the outstanding professionals in Oklahoma’s lodging industry. The awards are presented to individuals and properties that epitomize the service and spirit of our industry.
OKWIL Event: Give Yourself the Gift of Done On May 30th, we had a great time at our OKWIL Event: Finish: Giving Yourself the Gift of Done! Thirty of our members enjoyed learning from Bonnie Ann Cain-Wood on how to complete tasks at work efficiently, without adding additional pressure to their lives. Chronic projects starters learned about the importance of removing pressure from their projects, so they can ultimately finish and improve their overall productivity. We enjoyed seeing all of you, and look forward to our next OKWIL event!
2/6/19 A Tasteful Affair Legislative Reception Members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association gathered with legislators for a relaxed evening at the biggest legislative reception in the state.
2/6/19 Hospitality Day at the Capitol Members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association gathered at the State Capitol and spoke to legislators about issues facing our industry.
1/15/19 Stars of the Industry Awards The Annual Stars of the Industry Awards was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Edmond on January 15, 2019. This program, presented by OH&LA, is designed to honor Oklahoma’s outstanding hospitality professionals for their service and commitment to the guest service and hospitality industry.
1/15/19 Lodging Summit and Vendor Expo The OH&LA held its annual Lodging Summit and Vendor Expo on January 15, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn Edmond. Around 200 OH&LA members and guests participated in a great event!
1/14/19 OHLA PAC Fundraiser OH&LA directors gathered in advance of their annual board of directors dinner to raise monies for the OH&LA State PAC and federal HOTELPAC. The event was held on January 14 at The Martini Lounge in Edmond.
10/24/18 OKWIL Workplace Etiquette OKWIL members enjoyed a seminar on Workplace Etiquette, where presenter Kim Strom went over effective tech-savvy strategies to handle everything from phone calls to social media.
8/28/18 Quarterly Membership Event/STR Forecasting Luncheon OH&LA's September Quarterly Membership Event featured the 6th Annual STR Lodging Industry Forecast. Chris Crenshaw of STR presented exclusive insights on how Oklahoma's lodging and tourism industry is expected to trend in 2019, as well as anticipated results for 2018.
8/14-15/18 OKWIL Employment Law Trends OH&LA and ORA recently hosted seminars in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa highlighting employment law trends. Sponsored by US Foods and AH&LA, veteran attorney Andria Ryan of Fisher Phillips addressed recognizing and remedying the most common wage and hour violations; accommodating employees’ religious beliefs; avoiding discrimination; ensuring compliance with state and federal discrimination and whistleblower laws; and handling transitioning and transgender employees.
7/19/18 Odyssey de Culinaire Tulsa The ORA hosted Odyssey de Culinaire on July 19 at the River Spirit Casino Resort. Attendees enjoyed a “Loclahoma: Featuring Local Oklahoma Farms & Friends” menu theme.
7/12/18 Odyssey de Culinaire OKC The beautiful Skirvin Hilton Hotel was the location for the OKC Odyssey dinner. Chefs did a great job with the French “Ode to Bocuse: A Celebration of the Life and Recipes of Paul Bocuse” theme and attendees enjoyed their evening.
5/29/18 OKWIL Human Resources Event OKWIL members met on May 29 at VAST at the Devon Tower for an interactive panel session designed to help attendees create just the right recipe in the workplace. Attendees learned about the changes in hiring trends and innovative recruiting, interviewing techniques, and the importance of succession planning.
5/1/18 OHLA Member Event OH&LA's May 1 Membership Event featured Committee meetings and an educational luncheon with Shelly Weir, Senior Vice President of Career Development for the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation, who shared information about AH&LA's newly created apprenticeship program.
2/7/18 Hospitality Day/Legislative Reception Members of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, Oklahoma Restaurant Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association spoke to legislators about issues facing our industry, and then ended the day with the biggest legislative reception in the state.
1/16/18 Stars of the Industry Awards The Annual Stars of the Industry Awards was held at Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Conference Center on January 16, 2018. This program, presented by OH&LA, is designed to honor Oklahoma’s outstanding hospitality professionals for their service and commitment to the guest service and hospitality industry.
1/16/18 Lodging Summit and Vendor Expo The OH&LA held its annual Lodging Summit and Vendor Expo on January 16, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman. Around 200 OH&LA members and guests participated in a great event!
1/15/18 OHLA PAC Fundraiser OH&LA directors gathered in advance of their annual board of directors dinner to raise monies for the OH&LA State PAC and federal HOTELPAC. The event was held on January 15 at Benvenutis Ristorante in Norman.
10/5/17 OKWIL Engagement at the Next Level OKWIL members enjoyed ”Engagement at the Next Level” an interactive panel session in which moderator Karen Dunkin, Wyndham Garden Hotel OKC Airport, spoke with panelists Susan Anderson, Director of Special Events, OSU Foundation, and Lisa Fischer, Assistant Athletic Director, Event Management, on embracing the benefits of “engaging” with colleagues, clients, and social circles for the betterment of their career and personal relationships.
9/19/17 Quarterly Membership Event/STR Forecasting Luncheon OH&LA's September Quarterly Membership Event featured the 5th Annual STR Lodging Industry Forecast. Chris Crenshaw of STR presented exclusive insights on how Oklahoma's lodging and tourism industry is expected to trend in 2018, as well as anticipated results for 2017.
7/27/17 Odyssey de Culinaire OKC The beautiful Skirvin Hilton Hotel was the location for the OKC Odyssey dinner. Chefs did a great job with the “Regional Fusion” theme and attendees enjoyed their evening.
7/20/17 Odyssey de Culinaire Tulsa The OH&LA hosted Odyssey de Culinary on July 20 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel. Attendees enjoyed a “Sunday Supper“ menu theme.
6/29-30/17 CHIA Course Certified CHIA Instructor David W. Davis, Interim Associate Director at Oklahoma State University School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration, taught a Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) course on June 29 and 30 in Stillwater.
6/27/17 OKWIL Workplace Accountability OKWIL members enjoyed "Building a Culture of Accountability at Work" an educational seminar in which speaker Dr. Rebecca Eastham defined workplace accountability, helped members identify their personal part in being accountable, and then pointed out ways to create a workplace culture in which accountability is the mindset for all.
5/17-18/17 Legislative Action Summit On May 18, 2017 members of OH&LA, AAHOA, and OSU HRAD students traveled to Washington, D.C. to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Legislative Action Summit. This annual event is the most effective way to voice the strength of the lodging industry to key policymakers in Washington, and in recent years we have seen direct and impressive results from our visits to Capitol Hill.
5/4/17 OKWIL Creative Leadership A record number of OKWIL members enjoyed "The Art of Creative Leadership" educational seminar on May 4 at 21c Museum Hotel, presented by Terri Haack, President of Terranea Resorts and Chair of WIL.
4/11/2017 OH&LA Quarterly Membership Event OH&LA's April 11 Quarterly Membership Luncheon featured Committee meetings and an educational luncheon with Meridian Technology Center’s Dr. Rebecca Eastham, PhD who showed us how high employee engagement is critical to your company's performance.
